SPOTLIGHT ON: Emerald Coach Bailey McDonough
I think most everyone has thought at some point, “I want to lose weight.” I loved hearing Bailey’s story of how she overcame hurtful words and took control of not only her weight, but her life! THIS is why I’m a coach! It is amazing when people’s lives change thru encouragement and support!
Always Trying to Lose Weight…Ugh!
“I’ve been struggling with weight problems my whole life. I remember going to a 10 year well-child checkup. I was 5 feet tall and weighed 125 pounds. I was in 5th grade, and the nurse told me that I needed to lose weight because I was fat. I remember how horrible this made me feel and I tried everything I could to be more active but nothing seemed to help. As a 10 year old girl, my self-esteem was very fragile! I figured I would grow taller and it wouldn’t look quite so bad. Flash forward a few more years… I ended up being 17 years old, 5’5”, and 180 lbs. I never had a boyfriend in high school and I didn’t get my first kiss until senior year. I felt like everyone was going to pass me by (even my younger sister) and I would be the fat cat lady who had like 15 cats. I took my senior pictures summer 2009, and when I saw how fat I looked I realized something had to change. I kept thinking how I want to lose weight. I started bringing my own lunches to school and walked around between classes whenever I could. I lost 40 pounds in 3 months and looked amazing by the end of senior year 2010. I still wasn’t at my goal weight or anything, but I was better than I used to be.
I graduated high school in 2010, and graduated from college in 2011 with my Associates in Applied Science Degree as a Medical Laboratory Technician. I moved 3.5 hours from home to live alone and work full time in Austin, MN. My diet wasn’t fresh like living at home. My workouts were nonexistent because I worked 40 hours a week. I was exhausted by the time I got home. At 19, living a completely independent life is scary and exhausting. I met my boyfriend, Travis, after a month of moving to Austin, and we’ve been together ever since. He’s 3 years older than me with a high metabolism and works construction. He has never eaten healthy, so my eating habits got even worse. I gained back the 40 pounds I had lost. I felt like crap, and looked just as bad as before. I cried every day because Travis would poke fun at me for being fat, even once saying that if I had weighed this much when he met me, he wouldn’t have even talked to me… “but you’re still beautiful and I still love you!!” (Thanks a lot, honey!)
I decided then and there that I would NOT exceed 185 pounds. I would do SOMETHING to avoid it at all costs. I kept thinking, “I want to lose weight and I will!” So I watched infomercials for Insanity and P90X and asked a few friends what they thought—if I should do it or not. Some of them thought it was a scam, others had seen their friends get good results. I figured, “Well, even if this is a scam, doing something is better than doing nothing!”
I started talking to my friend Raymond who then introduced me to my now Beachbody coach, Jessica Nelson. She helped me decide what kind of workout would work best for me. My journey started with TurboFire. After doing TurboFire on and off for 6 months, I started Shakeology and noticed amazing results within the first week. I lost weight every week!! I loved it! Not only that but I felt full and energized for my whole day! I joined as a coach in October 2012, and I don’t regret a single day of being a coach! From day 1, I had always wanted to do Insanity. In April 2013 I started Insanity and noticed results right away. This had me feeling so good!! That is, until I got sick with bronchitis that totally wrecked my spirit and my lungs. After letting my lungs heal for a month (I went for walks in the meantime), I started Brazil Butt Lift and worked it out until Coach Summit 2013.
What I felt at Summit was the most awe-inspiring experience of my life so far. You know how people use the word “awesome” to mean “cool” or “great?” This was truly AWE-some. I was awed by how many coaches there are, how all of us together equal an INSANE amount of energy and enthusiasm, and everyone is so NICE! I have been using the tools given to me since Summit to work my business and make it what I want it to be.
I have been working out with Focus T25. I can’t believe it’s only 25 minutes. It feels like it should be an hour. With how much I sweat and how tired I feel after, I just don’t get it! My energy levels are still through the roof, my muscles are tightening and toning and I’m losing inches in some places, gaining in others. My muscles are sore but it’s a GOOD sore. I am happy all the time! I hardly ever cry anymore, and if I do, it’s NOT about feeling fat or down! My boyfriend has started to believe in me more than he used to. He encourages my working out. He buys me healthy snacks and treats, not chips and candy! And you know what? Yesterday my boyfriend told me I was “glowing!” (And no, I’m not pregnant!)
I’m 21 years old, and in the best shape of my life so far. I’m buying my first house at the end of July. I’m starting school again a month after I move. Life is coming at me so fast, and most days I’m in the drivers’ seat!
Life really is a journey, you can’t just keep floating by and thinking that something is going to happen to you. You need to take life by the horns and guide it where YOU want to go. Use your power and energy to encourage others. Whether it be, “great work on that project!” or “keep up the amazing work!” People notice these things about you and want to know your secret! But the truth is, there IS no secret. If you want something bad enough, you WILL work for it.
I have learned so much about myself, about others, about health and fitness, and what it truly means to be happy.”
To connect with Bailey on Facebook, click here.
Digging Deeper, Jessica Bowser Nelson
P.S. Have you thought, “I want to lose weight..again”, then message me!!